According to Beck, the first generation, represented by figures such as Fra Filippo Lippi, Jacopo Bellini and Peiro della Francesca, made "spectacular discoveries at a decisive moment in the history of Western culture." Perspective, landscape, portraiture and narrative painting were established as "the cornerstones of official painting for the next four centuries." The second generation, represented by Gentile Bellini, Mantegna, Carpaccio and Leonardo "began to analyse and refine the new linear and aerial perspectives; they more systematically and doggedly studied human anatomy; they modified and combined inventions of the previous decades and sought more rigorous solutions to problems raised during the first generation." The third, triumphant generation of Michelangelo, Giorgione, Raphael, Titian and Pontormo, focusing primarily on paint as a medium of expression, were sublimely "confident of their artistic language, having had the advantage of experience: The body of works produced by two generations of talented painters." Beck also distinguishes within these three generations two specific currents of representation: The lyric and the monumental, the former emphasising "gracefulness, elegance and refinement of forms", the latter portraying "gravity of forms, a volumetric three-dimensional insistence upon which the figures take up space in a convincing stage-like environment." Whilst this is not a hard and fast distinction, on this basis Beck defines Pisanello, Botticelli and Correggio as lyrical and Masaccio, Mantegna and Titian as monumental. Within this framework, Beck offers incisive, readable accounts of key works, as well as a very useful glossary and bibliography. The whole book is wonderfully illustrated with 450 colour illustrations covering 50 artists; the reissue of Italian Renaissance Painting confirms its status as a classic account of Renaissance art. --Jerry Brotton
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First edition stated 1981, first printing, numbers line starts with 1. Signed by Author, inscribed to named person, dated May 1982. Published by Harper & Row. Hardcover in full cloth with DJ. Condition as new, square tight and clean book, no edgewear, corners not bumped, no markings of any kind, no names, no underlinings, no highlights, no bent page corners, not a reminder. DJ fine, bright, two very small tears at spine edges, no chips, spine not sunned, not clipped. 4to, 484 pages, illustrated throughout. Heavy book will require additional postage for international orders. Uncommon signed. Inscribed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 006596
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 2.5. Seller Inventory # Q-0064303829
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Brand New!. Seller Inventory # VIB0064303829